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Prescription Levels

Posted , 4 users are following.

jugga
jugga

Hi all, I wonder if I could ask your input on some thoughts I have been having these last few days. It centres around the prescription of drug levels-not just co codamol but all prescriptions- and which seem to be a generic level irrespective of any other factors whatsoever.

For example, I am oversized at nearly 17 stones -and yet presumably have the same "two tablets every 4 hours" as say for example a petite young lady of 8 stones.

I cannot see how this cannot be ignored- the body mass the drug has to cope with is considerably more in the larger person- and, conversely, could also be dangerous to an underweight person?

My question ultimately condenses into this- does anyone think that being a large   person I would be able to take THREE co codamols rather than the 2 prescribed?

I give you the background here- I have had 2 spinal surgeries now over the last 12 years and have taken C-C throughout.I get no ill effects at all btw. I have had to finish working and mostly spend my time lying on the bed as sitting as well as vertical is very painful for me.Sometimes however the pain is so great that it overwhelms the drug completely and I end up a panicky mess..

This last week I caught a dose of flu. Not your over exaggerated cold type flu-the real one where high fever, intense shivering, chronic joint and muscle pain etc.The type you only get 2 or 3 times a lifetime...

Anyway, the pain was SO bad coming from my back-made worse by this flu- that I cast caution to the wind and took THREE C-Cs..Amazing. What a difference. I felt that this was just the right dose for me and got the pain relief I so needed. I tried it only once more out of desperation-to the same effect.

So- you can see now why I wrestle with this question above> Maybe I am being UNDER medicated on a regular basis if weight is used as a factor??

Thoughts anyone please?? Thanks!

Geoff

0 likes, 5 replies

5 Replies

  • andrew75524
    andrew75524 jugga

    Posted

    Hi, it's not the codiene as such which will be the problem. It would be the maximum dose of the accumulated paracetamol that would cause the problems. But being a larger man we have a higher tollerance to the paracetamol but legally they can only prescribe so much for one shot. Hope that makes sense. Andy
    • jugga
      jugga andrew75524

      Posted

      Yeah I take your point Andrew that the paracetamol is the dangerous compound in all of this- but again, as the proportional weight increases then so does the perceived risk to the kidneys .

      So essentially the doses ARE tailored for the small person for safety sake..knowing that for larger people they will be ineffectual. Hardly seems right does it. Ah well.

  • wen06862
    wen06862 jugga

    Posted

    Hi,

    I was, until a few months ago, on 30/500 co-codamol tablets - 8 tablets every 24 hours. I had been taking them for years. I realised that i could do with more codeine - I was addicted - stay with me on this!

    I was scared to up my co-codamols for going over the limit as a friend had been on the same 8 tablets each day (only for a few weeks though)and because her body needed more codeine she took an extra one - It killed her.

    My dad used to take soluble co-codamol 8/500 for years - maximum dose, and he died of liver cancer

    The doctor who I spoke to on the ward (my friend had 2 days of agony, they could do nothing) said that people who have been taking paracetamol at maximum strength for a while, like me for 10 years or more, can build up a resistance - BUT, there will most likely be damage to the liver in some way.

    The codeine will not do too much damage - although it is addictive.

    You can be prescribed codeine on ot's own - my bed-ridden mum was on it

    My friend was 20 stones in weight. The maximum doses are there for a reason!

    • jugga
      jugga wen06862

      Posted

      Interesting story  wen! Thank you for your input
  • roz85048
    roz85048 jugga

    Posted

    Hi,

    I've also wondered about weight-to-dosage ratios (with all drugs), but I see it from the opposite end of the spectrum to you and am of the opinion that dosages are prescribed more for people who are of average height and weight rather than someone like me standing at 5' 2" and weighing just over 8 stone. Consequently, I never take a full dose of any medication as it always seems to knock me sideways.

    Put your question to a pharmacist who should be able to give you a properly informed answer - and in the meantime, be careful.

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